Fianna Fáil Seanad Spokesperson on Education Senator Averil Power expressed concern about the training and work environment for students and staff of the Bahrain campus of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. She referred to medics being denied jobs simply because they are Shia rather than Sunni, while those who are given employment have to work in a militarized environment.

The Irish delegation welcomed the agreement by the Bahraini representatives that medical staff should not have been imprisoned and urged them to use their influence to have the remaining doctors and human rights activists released immediately. They also welcomed an invitation to return to Bahrain and follow up on their 2011 visit.

In itself, it is positive that the delegation of the Bahraini shura council admits “that medical staff should not have been imprisoned”. However, in the Bahraini absolute monarchy that shura council is not a real parliament, but a puppet parliament boycotted by the opposition because of government absolutism. It would be real progress if the Bahraini royal government would admit “that medical staff should not have been imprisoned” and would act upon that today and in the future.

Critics claim Irish visit to Bahrain medical university will be stage-managed: here.